I can't take it anymore! Could everyone just chill out for two seconds before something CRAZY happens again?!
The nut who actually ground out many packs. The resident forum voice of reason (I HAZ FORUM REP! YAY!)
normal text = me speaking as fellow formite colored text = mod mode
I would judge on aesthetics before anything else, since almost all ships can be useful if you have a competent build for it.
I'd actually recommend the Kazon Heavy Raider if you aren't bothered about looks or exclusivity. It's cross faction, it's very cheap on the exchange, it has a very flexible Boff setup with 3 universal seats including LtCom and it can be upgraded to T5U. It's happy with cannons or a full DBB rank in front, it can even broadside with conventional arrays if you want.
About the only disadvantages is that it is a jack of all trades, so perhaps doesn't shine in any particular way. And it's quite bland as looks go.
There's no "Best Ship" except the ship you most enjoy flying.
Mine is the Wells. A fleetmate of mine also has the Wells and hates it, preferring his Fleet Assault Cruiser. Another one of my fleetmates only flies his Scimitar.
So far, nobody I play with has a Tier 6 ship that they call their Best Ship. I'm sure that'll change as more ships are introduced.
If your playstyle is whatever is needed to be the most effective, the general recommendations is probably still the Scimitar. It is "only" Tier 5 (Upgradeable), not Tier 6, but so far it has proven the one ship with the most potential. (One could justifeably argue it's overpowered.)
But beware - ships aren't magic bullets or IWin-Buttons.
You need to actually make an effort to build a ship with the right selection of powers and gear, and you need to know how to use this build. This requires research, experience and a lot of dilithium.
So until you're actually experienced in the game and know what you're doing and how to build a good ship, you should go with something cheap - e.g. ideally somethnig that's completely free (like a Tier 5 ship you get upon reaching Level 40), or something you need to spend only very little on. (Like a Tier 5 ship from the Exchange, or somethnig you can buy with a little Zen, possibly acquired through the Dilithium Exchange).
If in doubt, picking an Escort, or a Cruiser with a Lt.Cmdr Tactical (or Universal) slot is a good start for someone inexperienced.
Star Trek Online Advancement: You start with lowbie gear, you end with Lobi gear.
Well the question or the answers are a bit misleading. Most of the suggestions arent useable for level 40-50 so not fitting the requirement...
My suggestion would be the Kazon Heavy Raider. Available to all factions as of level 40+ and often about 300k EC cheap. Nothing special but a solid offensive and very maneuverable ship.
Overall, it is a subjective question which depends on what you think is fun.
On my Fed Engineer I have played levels 40 - 60 using the T5 Sovereign class heavy cruiser and the T5 Mirror Universe heavy cruiser retrofit. I did not bother switching over to the T6 Guardian until at least two months after reaching level 60.
On the KDF side my tactical toon flew the T5 Hegh'ta heavy BoP until level 60 then I switched over to the T5u B'rel BoP Retrofit.
Comments
normal text = me speaking as fellow formite
colored text = mod mode
I'd actually recommend the Kazon Heavy Raider if you aren't bothered about looks or exclusivity. It's cross faction, it's very cheap on the exchange, it has a very flexible Boff setup with 3 universal seats including LtCom and it can be upgraded to T5U. It's happy with cannons or a full DBB rank in front, it can even broadside with conventional arrays if you want.
About the only disadvantages is that it is a jack of all trades, so perhaps doesn't shine in any particular way. And it's quite bland as looks go.
Mine is the Wells. A fleetmate of mine also has the Wells and hates it, preferring his Fleet Assault Cruiser. Another one of my fleetmates only flies his Scimitar.
So far, nobody I play with has a Tier 6 ship that they call their Best Ship. I'm sure that'll change as more ships are introduced.
Free Tibet!
But beware - ships aren't magic bullets or IWin-Buttons.
You need to actually make an effort to build a ship with the right selection of powers and gear, and you need to know how to use this build. This requires research, experience and a lot of dilithium.
So until you're actually experienced in the game and know what you're doing and how to build a good ship, you should go with something cheap - e.g. ideally somethnig that's completely free (like a Tier 5 ship you get upon reaching Level 40), or something you need to spend only very little on. (Like a Tier 5 ship from the Exchange, or somethnig you can buy with a little Zen, possibly acquired through the Dilithium Exchange).
If in doubt, picking an Escort, or a Cruiser with a Lt.Cmdr Tactical (or Universal) slot is a good start for someone inexperienced.
My suggestion would be the Kazon Heavy Raider. Available to all factions as of level 40+ and often about 300k EC cheap. Nothing special but a solid offensive and very maneuverable ship.
Edit: Sorry coupaholic overlooked your post
the one you enjoy the most
On my Fed Engineer I have played levels 40 - 60 using the T5 Sovereign class heavy cruiser and the T5 Mirror Universe heavy cruiser retrofit. I did not bother switching over to the T6 Guardian until at least two months after reaching level 60.
On the KDF side my tactical toon flew the T5 Hegh'ta heavy BoP until level 60 then I switched over to the T5u B'rel BoP Retrofit.